LATIST: A Performance Support Tool for Integrating Advanced Learning Technologies into Course Design

Abstract

This session will present a patent pending tool called LATIST which stands for Learning Asset Technology Integration Support Tool. This performance support tool enables faculty to integrate Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) such as social media, mobile technologies, games, simulations, and virtual worlds into their course designs. Specifically LATIST has three
components: (a) Explore Research which allows users to explore what the research says about a specific ALT and examine its advantages, disadvantages, and best practices in teaching and learning contexts; (b) Select Best Technology which allows users to select instructional strategies and technologies based on course objectives and factors such as bandwidth and budget; and (c) Apply Technology which allows users to view real world examples of ALT use in educational and training settings as well as practice using a selected technology.
LATIST was developed as a result of funding provided by the US Army Research Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) to support research on ALT for the Defense Acquisition
University (DAU). The goals of LATIST are to facilitate decision making among DAU faculty and staff by providing (a) a pedagogically driven decision support tool; (b) a repository of research on technology use in government, business, and education; and (c) access to information on how to integrate technology within learning assets. LATIST is also designed as a method to raise awareness of technology options and provide a tool for faculty and staff to refer to when making learning technology decisions. As research and resources on ALT are constantly growing and evolving, LATIST is designed to be scalable and encourages user interaction by embedding capabilities such as tagging, saving, sharing, and uploading within the tool. This session will describe the usage centered design process that was used by GMU faculty and students to develop LATIST and will demonstrate the tool and its components. For more information on LATIST, please visit: http://cehd.gmu.edu/LATIST